I have always believed India is the land of boundless creativity, unstoppable passion, and unmatched ingenuity. Long before we had large-scale investments and fancy studios, we had hard work and jugaad. That’s how iconic films like Mr India came to life. My friend Shekhar Kapur can tell you stories about the tiny fixes and clever ideas that powered that film — it wasn’t money, it was pure brain and heart.

But times have changed. Audiences have changed. Today, the world of entertainment is no longer limited to a cinema hall or a television screen. It’s spread across virtual worlds, AI-powered avatars, high-end visual effects, and immersive experiences. If India wants its next Mr India not to just charm the country, but to reverberate around the world, we must equip our creators with more than just ideas — we must give them resources, direction, mentorship, and platforms.

And that’s where the government’s WAVES initiative comes in. WAVES is not just a programme — it is a movement designed to strengthen the entire media and entertainment ecosystem.

Producing great cinema,........

© Indian Express